Hoping to buy time for nagging training camp injuries to heal and for interested newcomers to join the program, Hastings last week pulled out of a multi-team scrimmage and canceled its Week 0 game against Dobbs Ferry.
The Yellow Jackets were down to 18 eligible players, two above the minimum required to participate in a contest, according to athletic director Drew Wendol.
“Our numbers were a little light and in order to maintain a season, we’re hoping that a little time will help build up the program to a point where there won’t be any issues during the regular season,” he said.
Based on school enrollment numbers, Hastings moved up to Class B this year. It also combined with Greenburgh North Castle (Clark Academy and Greenburgh Academy), which
currently has five eligible players on the roster.
There is no junior varsity football team in the district.
“We don’t even have a youth program anymore,” Wendol said. “We’ve been practicing but had four players injured before the scrimmage. We’re hoping that they will be cleared and ready to go, and we may have a couple of new kids registering.”
The Yellow Jackets went 3-6 last season and are 9-32 over the previous five years.
“If the section had a developmental league (for Class B and C schools) we’d be playing there,” Wendol said. “I don’t want to put anyone in danger.”
There are 11 seniors on the Hastings roster.
“We’re trying to honor the schedule … I don’t want them to lose the season,” Wendol said.
Dobbs Ferry is likely to wind up with an open date.
Eagles coach Joe Cox was in contact with Center Moriches, which had an opening after Port Jefferson canceled its season due to a lack of players. The logistics, most notably traveling in either direction on Labor Day Weekend, were too big of a hurdle to navigate.
Dobbs Ferry has another open week Oct. 3, but the likelihood of getting a suitable matchup is very slim. Unless something changes, the Eagles will open the season at home against Rye Neck on Thursday Sept. 10.
There have been a number of recent alterations to high school football schedules across the state due to declining participation numbers. At least three teams in New York have canceled their varsity seasons. Five teams in Section 2 have also switched to 8-man football ahead of the season.
If the numbers hold up, Hastings is scheduled to open at home against Edgemont/Blind Brook on Thursday Sept. 10.
Mike Dougherty covers high school football for The Journal News/lohud.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Hastings football cancels season-opener against Dobbs Ferry
